DIY Newbie Explains Why a Little Help with a Boiler Repair Can Go a Long Way

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An outreach scheme over in the US has proved that a little help around the home can go a long way - something that people could keep in mind when weighing up whether to take out home emergency insurance to cover jobs such as a boiler repair.

(PRWEB)February 3, 2011

An outreach scheme over in the US has proved that a little help around the home can go a long way - something that people could keep in mind when weighing up whether to take out home emergency insurance to cover jobs such as a boiler repair.

As part of the programme, senior citizens are given a little help with keeping their homes in shape, in order that they can keep hold of their independence. According to the local Community Advocate newspaper, the scheme is being run by Shrewsbury’s Council on Ageing, which has already carried out referrals on more than 100 properties in the area. Outreach Coordinator Walter Rice explained that he moved to introduce the volunteer project after concerns were raised about the safety of elderly people in their home. As people enter their twilight years, they can often find it harder to carry out essential maintenance jobs, meaning their properties can fall into a state of despair over time. Mr Rice takes requests from members of the community for certain jobs, then finds a volunteer who’s able to carry out the task. Happily, as he’s now able to call on a team of more than 20 people, most requests are granted.

Although there’s no known schemes which run along the same lines currently in the UK, there are other ways that you can ensure you can call on the experts in a home emergency. By taking out cover such as boiler insurance, you’re able to get your heating system fixed as soon as a problem occurs. Taking out boiler cover could be a savvy move for a number of reasons. For a start, recent research has suggested that 25 per cent of all British households have suffered a boiler breakdown at some stage. The cost of a repair could hit you in the pocket by as much as £612 – a stonking amount of money that could be really hard to find if you haven’t got insurance.

Another key advantage of having this type of cover is that it ensures that the person who comes out to fix the boiler isn’t a cowboy. We’re all warned about rogue traders in newspapers and on TV shows, but spotting one isn’t always as easy as it sounds. However, boiler insurance policyholders can be sure that their tradesman will be fully qualified and on the Gas Safe Register, which is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to work with gas.

Cover for your boiler for a few pounds a month and an expert tradesman on hand 24/7 if the worst happens – that’s help we could all do with, isn’t it?